with Parker Riggs
We are delighted to welcome author Parker Riggs to Omnimystery News today.
Parker has just published her first mystery titled Finding Jessica (Mainly Murder Press; October 2014 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we had the opportunity to spend some time with her talking about it.
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Omnimystery News: Introduce us to Rose Chandler, the lead character of Finding Jessica. What is it about her that appeals to you as a writer?
Photo provided courtesy of
Parker Riggs
Parker Riggs: It's great fun to live vicariously through Rose. She's a former CIA covert affairs agent, brave and athletic, tough and sassy. Rose never says she's sorry — for anything — and boy is she bossy! In the first draft she wasn't even the lead character, but as I edited the book her voice kept getting louder and stronger, taking over entire chapters, pushing her way into the lead role. She became such a complex character, I had no choice but to make her the star.
OMN: What makes her complex?
PR: Her strengths and weaknesses. Outwardly, Rose appears confident and resilient, with a take-no-prisoners attitude. These are true features of her character, but beneath that steely surface, she's also carrying around some pretty heavy baggage. Rose struggles with feelings of loneliness and isolation; she's socially awkward and has trouble making friends; she's vulnerable when it comes to matters of the heart. But no matter what life throws at her, Rose never gives up. Professionally and personally, she's a skilled survivor.
OMN: One of the secondary characters in Finding Jessica is Detective Elmer "Rocky" Rhodes. What is it about this character that appeals to you as a writer?
PR: Rocky and Rose are yin and yang. She's traveled the world, he's lived his entire life in one town; she struggles to relate to people, he's friendly and adored by his wife and kids. She's into fitness and eating well; his idea of a workout is a walk from his car to the donut shop. She loves designer clothes and shoes; he has no fashion sense. Rocky is the perfect complement to Rose. He trusts her; she respects him. They make a great crime-fighting team!
OMN: How did Finding Jessica come to be titled? And were you involved with the cover design?
PR: There's a point in the story where Rose simply states, "I have to find Jessica." The minute I wrote those words, I knew I had a title! The book cover is from a scene in the book. The dog is Cosmo, Rose's miniature dachshund; the painting beneath the sheet is a masterpiece by Rose's client, Barrington Bigelow, the internationally acclaimed artist who has hired her to find his past love, Jessica. Is the painting the key to finding Jessica? I'm not going to tell you. You'll have to read the story if you want to find out!
OMN: If Finding Jessica were to be adapted for television or film, who do you see playing the key roles?
PR: I think of Julianne Moore when I imagine Rose. She's the right age, gorgeous, and knows how to play a strong woman. Rocky is harder to cast because of his looks: he has a square head, his complexion is pitted from old acne scars, and his belly barely fits his clothes. There aren't too many actors who look like Rocky, but I think Kevin James would bring Rocky's personality to life. I loved him in Mall Cop.
OMN: This is your first published novel. What advice might you give to other aspiring authors?
PR: Take the time to do it right. Before I even sat down to write the story, I devoured Stephen King's book On Writing. It's one of the best books out there on the craft of writing. And if you're a new writer, don't be embarrassed or too proud to admit you need help. I hired a development editor and learned how to tighten the plot, develop my characters and so much more. The lessons I learned (an experience equivalent to taking an in-depth course in creative writing), have been invaluable.
OMN: You have co-authored A Treacherous Trader with mystery author Ellery Adams. How did this come about?
PR: I think it was a miracle, because I still can't believe I have two books being published this month! It happened when I was sending out queries last year for Finding Jessica. Ellery's agent didn't feel it was cozy enough for her readers (other agents thought it was too cozy — so you can see how this is a very subjective business), but she loved my voice and asked if I would be interested in writing the fourth book in Ellery's Collectible Mystery series. Of course I said yes! Co-authoring A Treacherous Trader with Ellery has been a dream come true. The book is due to be published later this month, and as soon as I get the exact publication date, I'll post it on my website.
OMN: Parker Riggs is a pen name. What prompted you to use one?
PR: My last name is hard to spell and people have a hard time pronouncing it. It made sense to use a name readers could easily remember — after all, if you like the book, I want you to be able to tell all your friends and family about it, and not be stumbling around trying to remember my name. Riggs is an abbreviated form of my last name, and I chose Parker as my first name in honor of Robert B. Parker. He was my favorite mystery writer for so many years. I will strive always to honor his name.
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Parker Riggs’ love of writing began as a teenager growing up in New Jersey penning short stories and poetry. Her dream to be a published author got set aside for a career in Washington, D.C. where, for two decades, she supported politicians and lawyers. Yet the dream never died.
She is now permanently settled in New Hampshire with her husband and a lively mini dachshund named Pippa.
For more information about the author, please visit her website or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
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Finding Jessica
Parker Riggs
A Mystery
What happens to gorgeous, red-haired, ex-CIA agent Rose Chandler when she takes on internationally acclaimed artist, Barrington Bigelow, as her new client? Trouble, big trouble.
Summer's heating up, and so is the search for Barrington's past love, Jessica. The small town of Haven has two murders in its otherwise peaceful midst, and Rose has to face a wicked demon from her past.
With a maddening FBI agent breathing down her neck, and hidden identities to unravel, she's got a score to settle, a deadly secret to face, and a decision to make that threatens to change her life forever.
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